The Sardine Can

This past weekend I got to do one of my favorite things, try out a new and fabulous restaurant! Maybe because my two fellow amis are currently gallivanting around Spain as I type but I needed to get my own fix.

I have a soft spot for authentic Spanish Tapas and it has been something that Vancouver has been sorely lacking but now we have TheSardineCan. Located in a little spot on Powell Street in Gastown The Sardine Can literally did feel like I was walking in to a little tapas joint on some side street in some bustling Spanish city.

I really need to get better at taking pictures of food before greedily stuffing it into my mouth so this is the best picture I have, but I can tell you it wal all delicious. We ordered quite a selection from the little menu but they were all the perfect tapas size and washed down with a crisp, cool Spanish white wine was perfection.

 My personal favorites were the duo of hams, Pata Negra and Serrano, cut so thin they melt in your mouth, the Gambas al Ajillo (prawns in garlic), with all that leftover oil with garlic and chili just perfect for dunking bread into, and the Patatas Bravas, little fingerling potatoes doused in tomatoes and garlic aoili.

The place, as the name suggests, is small, best for a date night of a small group of 5 and under, and it fills up. However, if you are not in a rush it is perfectly situated to have a stroll around and grab a pre-dinner cocktail while you wait for your table. The space is great and the staff incredibly friendly!

xo J

It's a feast!

I'm sure if you reside in Vancouver you are very familiar with the annual Dine-Out program that happens every winter, well this year at the same time you can take part in FeastVan !

From January 20th to February 5th some of my favorite restaurants in East Vancouver are taking part in this great event where $1 of every prix fixe menu goes here. Good food for a good cause, I say that is the perfect excuse to splurge.

I'm fixing to make a reservation for LesFauxBourgeois , my personal fav!

xo J

Best Bites #2: Jethro's Fine Grub - Frosted Flake Pancakes

Yes you did read that right.

Frosted Flake Pancakes

Are you ready to behold it's greatness?

Voila!!

Frosted Flake Pancakes from Jethro's Fine Grub. Fluffy and flopping over the edges of the plate like a beautifully rotund manatee. Oh so abundant! This was the second item that the amis and I devoured from Vancouver Magazine's 101 Best Bites in Vancouver list. No, we're not getting paid to do this... we just like food and trying new places about town.

So how did this stack stack up? (yeah, I made that pun, and I'm standing behind it)

In a word: awesome

The pancakes were delightfully light. They were the perfect level of sweetness and tartness - the tartness coming from buttermilk and the blueberries. The frosted flakes functioned mostly as a textural add-on. I thought they would add a lot of sweetness, but no, once buried within and on top of the pancake batter, and then covered in whipped cream and maple syrup - sweetness wasn't a factor. The crunch was nice though, and unexpected in a pancake. These were definitely some of the best pancakes I've enjoyed in a long while. And one plate was more than enough for 3 of us to share!

But did we just order pancakes? Hahahahha no, why would we do that?


We also enjoyed a Baked Potato Omelet and Nutella French Toast

Ready.... Set...

Attack!!

The Baked Potato Omelet was a revelation. Again - the fluffy factor was off the charts! And I mean really, an omelet stuffed with all the goodness you'd find in a baked potato? You know that's gonna be great!

The Nutella French Toast was also tasty. Think 3 inch-thick slabs of challah bread slathered with a nutella cinnamon spread. Very good. Full disclosure though - as a hard core Nutella lover, and given the ratio of bread to Nutella - this could have done with a bit more Nutella. Yup I just said that. Even though you can see the craziness that is this dish in the pictures. But if you're going to have a crazy over-the-top dish as this is - then go all the way! Make that mother the craziest, chocolatiest french toast that ever was!!

Besides that clearly gluttonous last remark, Jethro's was a great breakfast experience. You can tell they make their food with love and care. It isn't about ritz at all - it's just about great breakfast done right. I'd say if you're in the neighbourhood - it's definitely worth popping in for a bite.

What's been your best pancake experience? Have you hit up Jethro's already? What'd you think?

101 foods, 2 eaten, 2 loved, 99 to go!

xo
Jenny C

Baby it's cold outside!

I will admit I am a sun bunny all the way, my favorite season by far is summer time but I also love the excuse of stocking up on all things cozy and comfy when there is a chill in the air. Local Vancouver brand Granted has me lusting after pretty much everything.

While the anchor sweater is screaming my name it is out of my price range (especially knowing I will be back paying a mortgage in about a months time) but the toque and slippers are definitely items I can see myself splurging on, especially if they have an online boxing day sale like they did last year, fingers crossed they do and that I can hold out that long!

xo J

Meat & Bread

It has been around for over a year now and I have finally got myself over to Meat & Bread. I had to go for what they are known for, the Porchetta sandwich, literally a really good bread overflowing with their juicy porchetta that was sliced right in front of you, meat and bread, what more do you need (well the chopped up uber-crispy skin and salsa verde drizzled on top doesn’t hurt).

Not only is the food good but the whole concept and execution of said concept is what makes this place a success, from the simple branding, clean décor and the friendly hipster staff, these guys know what they are doing!

xo J

Street fest + street meat = happy me!

While the clouds have returned this Tuesday morning, I am still radiating the lovely sun from the weekend, and what better way to soak it up than enjoying a street festival. West 4th was closed from Burrard Street all the way to McDonald and the crowds came out to enjoy.

There were five stages, one huge garage sale, and endless goodies in between.

The Tacofino truck looked too good to pass by without trying out.

Maybe the best steak taco I ever had, the mango salsa was a great addition.

xo J

Re-focus, Re-visit - Relax!

I’ve been having a tough time finding inspiration lately (what? did the lack of posts tip you off). I’ve had a lot of things on my mind, upcoming review at work, the anxiety of trying to sell our house, love life issues, turning 30!!, that I admit my devotion to Amis Are We has faltered. NOT that I am in a blue mood about it all, far from it, I’m actually highly positive about all above stated issues, but that doesn’t stop them from being stressful and somehow getting sucked in to blogs where beautiful young women with impeccable style, a glamorous job in a perpetually sunny locale and the most devoted bf/fiancé/husband gush about their fabulous existence is not always the most helpful. Therefore, I’m trying to refocus on what makes MY life awesome and learning fun things about your own city is a start. Three new additions to my reading list are:

http://vancouverisawesome.com/ - A community based, non-profit organization dedicated to the study, promotion and preservation of Vancouver Arts & Culture, with a positive spin.

http://vitamindaily.com/vancouver - Your daily dose of timely tips on fashion, food, lifestyle and nightlife in your hometown. Besides Vancouver they also have Calgary, Montreal and Toronto pages.

http://www.vancouverslop.com/ - An Almost daily food blog of fund food events and places to explore in Vancouver.

What drew me to these sites is that all have a very different focus and perspective on Vancouver and between the three there really is something for everyone!

xo J

Sah-weet

Warning: The following images will send you running for the nearest bakery.

From Top to Bottom: Turtle Cheesecake from La Baguette et L'Echalote Bakery, Peanut Cake from Anna's Cake House, and a Maple Snickerdoodle from Butter Baked Goods.

Full credit for photographing and showcasing these sinful treats goes to CakeSpy - an amazing baking blog. CakeSpy and her hubby were in Vancouver for the weekend and man did they do some thorough research on Vancouver's best baked goods.

I can fully endorse some of their findings: (Lee's Donuts, La Baguette, Chocolatas, A La Mode, Liberty Bakery), but it was great to read about some places that I haven't been to yet either. Note to self: hunt out Maple Snickerdoodle at Butter, consume other buttery treats there, bring milk.

So thanks CakeSpy for the sweet inspiration! If you want to read her full post and drool some more at your computer screen, follow this link.

Van City Amore

Granville Island

A couple of weeks ago for work I was charged with traipsing around town to take pictures of various areas in the city. Although, it was for work I enjoyed the task and I was blessed with beautiful weather . What I got out of it was that there are some areas, sites and sounds in town that I really want to make an effort to explore more, and I keep saying that but now I’m actually going to challenge myself to go out and do it, explore the shops, try new restaurants and hopefully be able to share it all with you.

Gastown

Athlete's Village

First things on the list: Weekend adventure to the Vancouver flea market with my fellow amis!